Bicycle.Punk Rock.Action

August 2, 2015

Words

Ah, summer, the best time for long bike rides with friends, stopping at swimming holes, and generally enjoying the longer days of sun-filled action. It's imperative to stay hydrated on these trips and now's your chance to stock up on the Ltd CRC Bidons, Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em, and Cheap Trick. Two bottles for $20, shipping included in the US. Sorry but shipping rates still apply to international orders.

Just back from a whirlwind week in California, the land of golden sunshine, brilliant redwoods, and an extreme water shortage, where I was fortunate enough to ride with the Blackburn Rangers on the way to Sea Otter. I'll have more in the upcoming days ahead, but for now, feast your eyes on a few photos, including the White Industries drop-stop (official name TBD).

It's become somewhat of an institution around these parts, and of course I'm talking about the Slick 50 Spring Class-Sick ride. I try to never use the same route twice, and this year we'll be heading easterly, foraging some new and old roads, a mixture of fast urban path climbing, wide-shouldered country byways, and greasy peanut butter secteurs.

The planned end point is the [*EDIT] Flat Earth Brewing Co. located over near Swede Hollow, on the grounds of the famous Hamm's Brewery, Wabasha Brewing Company [*EDIT] Please remember, the Slick 50 is not a race, although the pace can be, uh, "spirited," and selections may be made. But fear not, we'll regroup after the return via Concord Ave and the Wabasha Bridge, before dropping down Bum's Row for the second time and onto the Bruce Vento trail to Flat Earth, via Swede Hollow. There may, or maybe not, be a food truck there. I'd pack an extra burrito in your jersey pocket, just in case. Lastly, there is only one rule on the Slick 50: NO KOOKS!

When Breadwinner Cycles chose me (!) to complete their team for the Rouge Roubaix Builders Challenge, you might say I was flabbergasted. Stoked, hell yes, but flabbergasted, none the less. What's a 47 year old geezer like me doing with these fast hot-shots? Apparently there were over 200 applicants, but they liked my answers best, (sample questions: Stage Race or 1-day classic? Pantani's skull cap or Roger De Vlaeminck's sideburns?) I received my new B-Road late last week and was able to get a couple of long rides in before boarding the plane today. Now here we are, in Baton Rouge, on the eve of a long weekend of great riding with great riders, and great builders, for the Rouge Roubaix. There'll be updates all weekend long on The Radavist, as well as Instagram. Stay tuned.